Richard's "thank-you's"

If you've followed this BLOG it will be no surprise when I say that I've had the best "Tri Week" of my life.
Been lucky enough to race Ironman in Kona, stand on the podium in Clearwater and win a few big races here and there: (hell, I even raced  "pro" at Wimbleball at the age of 49!)  but I've never, ever enjoyed a day like our ForestMan day.

A cracking way to bow out with great memories:

• First day "BoskMan" and running better than I ever have.......Joanne saying "it's too fast", "I know", "butwhat the heck, you just don't get days like this too often!"
• Blissford Hill!!!!!!!!
• Swimming up the Beaulieu River and later that cracking run up through Bucklers.
• Up the sandy bank on the old Standard run route
• ForestMan swim (and doing three continuous laps without stopping to do breaststroke!!!)
• Not caring about the time but knowing it's respectable
• Watching four great athletes achieving amazing things which made me proud to have shared the week with them; thanks, Tim, Steve Kev and Nicky!!!! Stars every one.

I want to thank everyone who gave encouragement and support in one way or another either out on the course or at the start on various days:-
Marjorie and John
Jax and Wayne
James and Emma
Doug and Nicole
Neil
Andy

Thanks to everyone who came to the finish at Sandy Balls on F'Man day

• To Nicky, Greg (and Alice) for understanding my "personalised" rehydration protocol!!! of an evening. No wonder I can't find a beer sponsor, eh??
• To Sharon for sorting out my back on Monday.
• To Del and Jen at Sandy Balls for your tremendous hospitality. Reckon that's what got me round.
• To Bill and Alex at Primera for all your support since what seems like forever.........and actually is almost that long!
• To Mike at 2 X U, who kept me afloat with a couple of great wetties.
• Mike and Emmie at InfiniT............rocket fuel!!!  Just the best.
• To my Mum and Dad  :- for their absolute belief in my abilities.........always!!

And finally to Joanne:-

• for lending me her Kestrel (which is her pride and joy)
• for putting up with my obsessive compulsive behaviour:- I will admit that lining up the drinks bottles (in order) in the fridge was, indeed, a "bit strange" even by my standards.
• for making sure everything was where it should be, when it needed to be!! (Calfgurds excepted, of course!!)
• for all those bike drink stations and riding round on the run courses
• for not giving me any time checks
• for being there